Original artwork from the well known book "Deeds That Thrilled The Empire". Artwork signed John F. Campbell deplicting Private J. W. Hughes Royal Fusilliers winning his DCM. Size displayed 13.5 inches by 19.25 inches. Originally purchased from London Stamp exchange over 25 years ago. These original works rarely come on the market.

Original artwork from the well known book "Deeds That Thrilled The Empire". Artwork signed A. Pearse deplicting Private T. G. Turrall 10th Bn. Worcestershire Rgt. winning his Victoria Cross at La Boiselle 3/7/1916. Size displayed 14.25 inches by 20.5 inches. Originally purchased from London Stamp exchange over 25 years ago. These original works rarely come on the market.

Very Good Condition $2250

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Rare diary for HMAS NIZAM. Covering the period from July 1941 to March 1943.

The diary entries go up to page 113 with multiple days being covered on most pages (due to its large size). Each page typically records the date (exact timings), the ship’s location or course, a summary of events, and many remarks or references to the day’s activities. Page one starts with the following; “Diary as from my joining the ship in Alexandria” (2nd July 1941). No name accompanies the diary.

The diaries pages vary greatly in the amount and level of detailed information it contains from day to day. Some days in the Middle East are very active compared to others. This is a historical record of the ship’s administration, operations, and activities, and was highly frowned upon in case it fell into enemy hands.

Example of an active day’s entry;

“Sunday 23rd

“0300 Left Alex. In/c with “Napier”, “Jackal”, “Kipling” + “Hasty” to do anti sub sweep in front of A.M.C. “Glenroy” + A/A Cruiser “Carlisle” . “Glenroy” loaded with tanks and troops for Tobruk. 1600 the two ships were attacked by torpedo bombers & “Glenroy” hit Aft. “Carlisle” took her in tow. We raced back at full speed & just before we reached scene we were attacked. Fierce barrage drove them off and they machine gunned the Jackal killing one man. Fish dropped at us but missed by a mile. Caught up with “Carlisle” + “Glenroy” + did A/S sweep around them.”

Due to the large amount of sensitive detail in this diary along with the educated manner in which it is written, one would assume this is written by a senior officer.

In conclusion, there can be no doubt that this “untouched” and “unpublished” diary is an extremely rare piece of Australian Naval history.

Great condition with all pages clear and eligible $2250

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24 Personal Photographs of the Boer War on glass slides. No information is known of the photographer of this collection, but regardless of this, we are given a very rare insight into everyday life during the war.

As far as we know these photographs have not been published before and are in outstanding condition for their age with no damage and very clear images.

Near EF $1250

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Photograph album containing 23 original WW1 period photos belonging to an Australian Soldier named “Arch”. The Album cover is titled “Snapshots taken by Arch. On active service 1916”.

All photos are captioned in detail showing Australian soldiers and naming most of them. A few photos also cover several parts of the UK including the zoo whilst presumably on leave. A good researcher may be able to work out exactly who Arch is with the other names and clues given by the soldier throughout.

Good overall condition with captions and photos all being clear SOLD

A highly emotive and very rare group of 3 documents to a German sailor decorated and Killed in action during the HMAS Sydney / Kormoran action comprising of :

1. Official death certificate for AUGUST BILGES, showing him as KIA in Australian waters and dated 22.Juli.1943.

2. Official Naval (decorated border) death scroll named to AUGUST BILGES designed to be framed by the family.

3. Iron Cross 2nd Class award document to " maschineobergefreiten August Bilges vom Kommando Hilfskreuser Cormoran'. signed and dated 19.11.1941 making it an actual award for the sinking of the Sydney.

4. We recently purchased this superb original example of an Iron cross (second class) in its scarce LDO box of issue and have included them with the Documents as we felt it would enhance a quality display.

In the early sixties I attended the Harvey Agricultural college in which a number of Kormoran crew along with Italian internees spent time during WW2. This sparked my interest as a boy and for the past 45 years I have always been vigilant in the search for original Kormoran material without success. I was particularly pleased when one of the leading German experts (in the UK) offered me these documents, these are believed to be the only such grouping in private hands.

There can be no other Australian Naval action which has caused so much emotion among the Australian public than the sinking of the "Sydney". These documents are a rare incite to the other side.

P.O.A.

An extremely scarce pair of award documents awarded to " Matrosen - ober - Gefreiten Johann Forster " for service on the famous German Raider "HILFSKREUZER THOR" comprising of:

1. Award document for the qualification badge - KRIEGSABZEICHEN FUER HILFSKREUZER signed by the ships Captain and dated 6.Januar 1943.

2.Award document for the award of the " IRON CROSS SECOND CLASS" signed by the ships Captain and dated 24.Dez.1942

Of particular note, is that both these documents were produced in the German headquarters at Yokohama in Japan where the "THOR" was stationed.

The Australian connection to this ship is of great interest, as the Thor captured an Australian Liner the Nankin enroute to Bombay and opted to take her as a prize ship. Whilst tied up in Yokohama the Thor ,Nankin and two German ships were all destroyed together during a fuel resupply killing a dozen crew members of the Thor. The balance of the crew were killed on the way back to Germany when accidentally sunk by a German U boat.

There are many stories of interest (on the internet) on the Thor including a great article by a POW from the Australian Ship the Nankin on his time as a "German POW" in Japan.

We recently purchased this superb original example of an Auxiliary Cruisers badge, maker marked SCHWERN BERLIN and a mint Iron cross (second class) in its packet of issue and have included them with the Documents as we felt it would enhance a quality display.

These two photo albums contain a mixture of over 250 photos of both Captain Moore & Captain Dixon. The albums were put together by their friend Eileen Ramsay and are all very detailed. They include;

1. The embarkation of the 38th Bn AIF from Melbourne on the HMAT Runic. in June 1916. This is a most comprehensive detail of all the Officers (HQ's and all Coy's) naming each individually. With various other identities on the ship including Lieut. Orchard (Geelong footballer) and various other officers who would later become KIA, commanding Officers and or highly decorated to name just a few.

2. General photos of the battalion on board the ship ie. "looking for submarines", boxing "Heavy weight Championship" and general drill

3. Several photos of a visit by General Monash with Major Story (later the C.O. of the 37th who was later controversially dismissed as a result of the mutiny) and Brigadier McNicol D.S.O. for example.

4. Hospital photos. Nurses and wounded (Named)

5. Two portrait photos of Australian Flying Corps pilots (signed), one of which is Will Dixon brother to Ernest, the other name is hard to read and needs further research. Also various plane photos and a group photo of the AFC pilots in 1918 (pictured left), most likely related to Will.

6. Numerous photos related to Captain Dixon a Jnr Officer D.S.O. and twice mentioned in despatches. The photos start in Perth in February 1915 including naval officers, HMAT Kyarra (twice torpedoed, although not his ship he travelled on), then in the Middle East with various officers and men (named), horses (named), Light Horse Warrent Officers, signalers, 8th Light Horse Sgt, Soldiers doing gas mask training, despatch riders, Turkish officers surrendering, too many to name. These photos cover the early stages of Captain Dixons service when he was part of the 3rd Light Horse Brigade Train A.A.S.C. hence his association with so many different units whilst working out of HQ. He was then made R.S.M. of 10th Light Horse and then transfered with a commission to the Camel Corp (15th L.H.). This is when the then Lt. Dixon wins a Gallant D.S.O defending the post that would later be known as "Dixons Post" for his command of the position when the Turks make a last ditch effort to re-take Beersheba.

Both "mixed" albums are extremely fascinating and have so many avenues to research. As with the above two lots of photos, they are well documented, clear and represent a researchers dream. There are so many outstanding names that appear, that I have no doubt that many of these photos will eventually end up in publications.

WWI LARGE SURVEY MAPS ON LINEN BACKINGFRANCE ISSUE TITLED NORTH WEST EUROPE 30

With very heavy folds, moisture affected and aged as to be expected of maps carried in the line.

Very good - fine and scarce. SOLD

RECENTLY SOLD

BOER WAR DIARY & EPHEMERA

A very rare collection of Ephemera including a portrait of Lieut. W. R. Finlayson M.C. 21 Bn AIF, 2 official papers relating to his discharge (3MD). A WW1 recommendation he had written for 6840 Pte. R. J. Knight (subsequently awarded), A 1918 officers photo signed by all 10 officers. 3 small portrait photos in uniform, plus a short but very interesting Diary in which he served with the 3rd Bushmans Contingent (Victorian) under Major Vialls (W.A.) of whom he speaks very highly. This is the first Boer War Diary to an Australian we have ever owned.

Important note: Lieut Finlayson was one of the 133 soldiers reccommended for the Victoria Cross in the First World War

SOLD

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Photograph album containing 48 original WW1 photos taken in France. The Album undoubtedly has an Australian Artillery connection with one caption stating "Group NCO's OF 31st BTY". A SGT Major Erskine (8th FAB and also a Belgian Croix De Guerre winner) is also mentioned. Numerous photo's of Guns, Planes Tanks and various places (including Villers Bretonneux and Plug Street 1917). All photos are captioned circa 1917/18.

SOLD

Single; Crimea medal one clasp "Alma". Officially Impressed to J. YOUNG 55th REGT. On the roll as wounded in Alma and subsequently died at Scutari in 1854.

Comes with a letter home of 4 pages of stop start writing, almost like a diary where he describes the arrival of the wounded from the Charge of the Light Brigade to Scutari. Also included is an official disbursement of his assets, An official letter regarding the medal plus an Official envelope addressed to his Sister in Easey Street Collingwood Melbourne Australia.

A choice Crimea to a casualty with extremely rare Ephemera and a bonus Australian connection.

Small EK at 6 o'clock otherwise EF SOLD

COUVE BROTHERS KIA GALLIPOLI 8th BN AIF

An outstanding and scarce pair of photo Albums of Lt Alan "father" Crawford Couve and Lt Henry Thomas Ladson Couve both of the 8th battalion AIF. There are 161 photos in total of which were sent home to their sister. All are captioned and record their story fighting the Turks before Gallipoli (this subject is seldom written about) and includes their last photos captioned "En route to Lemnos April 1915" and "Kit parade Lemnos" as Lt Alan Couve was tragically killed on the landing by sniper fire (DOW on the 26th), with his brother being killed only two weeks later.

There are too many 8th battalion names associated with these photos to mention them all, although all would be Gallipoli veterans, possibly decorated and KIA's. This collection really demands a lot of time and research but would no doubt be a "jewel in the crown" to an 8 Bn, Gallipoli or Victorian collector.

The regimental unit history "Cobbers in Khaki" states Lt. Alan Couve was reported to have encouraged his men during the initial fighting by shouting. "Don't worry about the shells, boys; while you can hear them they won't do you any harm; it's the shells you don't hear that will do the damage".

Included with the photos are as follows;

1. 1913 dated 3 MD military map by the then Lt. Col. Monash of the Lilydale & Yarraglen districts. The map is named to Lieut A. Couve F. Company Dandenong in pencil. There are a few locations marked "HQ, 10.2.14" and similar.

2. A beautiful poem about the very first troop departure out of Albany titled "The troopships of A.N.Z.A.C. (Oct.. - Dec. 1914.). The poem mentions the Emden action and is very well written by Eileen Ramsay nee Couve.

3. An official letter mentioning the above poem, Mr Couve Snr's soldier settlement property and goes on to mention that the Couve brothers were prominant footballers. Written by the Hon. Ken. Mackenzie Wright.

This is a very important and emotional collection

SOLD

NURSES CLEARING STATION PHOTO ALBUM FOR GALLIPOLI, MIDDLE EAST & SALONIKA CASUALTIES

This nurses photo album contains 50 photos in total with various examples of the captions as follows;